The executive members of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) on Wednesday April 24, 2019 paid courtesy visit to the leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) at its Jibowu national secretariat in Lagos.

The PCRC delegation led by then Chairman, Mr Funsho Ige, was received by the General Secretary (GS) of NUPENG, Comrade Olawale Afolabi on behalf of the President of the Union, Comrade (Prince) Williams Akporeha who was unavoidably absent.

Others in the PCRC delegation were Ms Bolanle Egomson (Secretary), Mr. Aregbesola Ishola (now Chairman of PCRC), Mr Yomi Fakoya, Ms Ayo Ruth, and Mr. Christopher Onwochei.

Addressing the delegation, the General Secretary of NUPENG stated that; “The Union strongly appreciated this courtesy visit and also for identifying with the new leadership of our Union, we say thank you. Let me also tell you that it is the desire of our National President to be part of this high profile gathering today, but he is outside Lagos attending to other pressing issues in the interest of our members.”

Fielding questions from the visitors, Comrade Afolabi commended the PCRC officials for their selfless efforts despite high risks associated with their roles in reporting potential crimes, flash points of crime, criminal elements and their hideouts to the Police.

He however advised them to admonish the Police officers who they often interface with to be more professional in their conducts and step up their game in intelligence gathering, processing and management as well as fulfilling the obligation of confidentiality and the duty not to break trust so that high prevalence of crime which are mostly robbery, rape, internet fraud, and rival cult clashes are nipped in the bud at Onipanu, Fadeyi, Jibowu and other adjoining neighborhoods.

The GS also maintained that the Union will not renege in giving support to PCRC but cautioned that such support will only be within the limit of the Union’s budget meant to take care of corporate social responsibility initiatives such as this.

PCRC former Chair, Mr. Ige on his part applauded the timely intervention of the Police in Onipanu based on the professional manner the officers have been acting on intelligence reports that are presented before them.

According to him, “Parts of the breakthrough recorded by the Police is the activities of “one-chance” bus operators which have been completely eradicated on the road, we also have 24 hours Police stationary vehicle at Onipanu bus stop, this particular intervention has helped a lot to reduce crime and in curbing crime escalation on that corridor.

As you know that Onipanu falls under the jurisdiction of Area H Command with 11 divisions, we make bold to say they are doing their best in showing commitment in combating lawlessness within the neighborhoods of their coverage. Please bear in mind that the Vice Chairmanship position of PCRC is zoned to NUPENG and we would always appreciate your unflinching support towards our course. We know you are very close to the government at the top, please at any opportunity open to you please help us to convince them to do more for the Police so that we can work towards achieving a crime-free society.”

While bringing the meeting to a close, Deputy General Secretary (DGS) of the Union in charge of Operations, Comrade Otite Onohwohwo gave a cheering vote of thanks.

“We sincerely appreciated your visit to our corporate national office. We found your ideas and suggestions shared here valuable and we are encouraged by this gesture and anticipate the long symbiotic relationship we’ve nurtured over the years will continue to yield positive results. On behalf of the Union I say thank you for the time you spent speaking with us. Your visit was a compliment to everyone in our office”.

Other members of the Union’s leadership in attendance were the Deputy General Secretaries in charge of Administration and Finance/Accounts, Comrades Christopher Akpede and Comrade Anthony Chukwu, so also Principal Assistant General Secretary (PAGS) in charge of Public Affairs and Research, Comrade Adamson Momoh.